Combination cigarette and match case



Aug. 24, 1948. 0. Q. ATKINSON COMBINATION CIGARETTE AND MATCH CASE FiledSept. 20, 1945 .7 I INVENTOR. Orda Q. A i/EH26 ATTUP/Vf) Patented Aug.24, 1948 I un- ED S A as ENT; we,

. COMBINATION CIGARETTE AND MATCITVCASE OrdaQ. Atkinson, Lake Worth,Fla.

' Application September 20, 1945, Serial n c reos nected with the caseas to aiford the maximum of protection tothe matches against moisture.

Another object is the provision of means whereby the cigarettes may bee'xposed for extraction by a simple pressure upon the match holder andupon release to extend the match holder with its book of matches into aposition for convenient removal and. striking of a match.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will presentthemselves during the course of the following description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the combination case, with the partsmoved to their operative position in dotted lines,

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Figure l, and,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front elevation of the lower end of the case.

Referring specifically to the drawing and wherein is shown the preferredembodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates the case as awhole, preferably formed of a conventional plastic material andgenerally rectangular in cross section. The case is of such size as toreceive the conventional package of cigarettes. The

.case 5 has a closed lower end 6 and an open upper end I. The open end Iis normally closed by a cover 8, hinged to the case 5 at 9 and, uponrelease being moved to the dotted line position of Figure 1, by a springI6, embodied in the hinge B. The cover 8 has a depending flange I I,adapted to fit over the upper end of the case 5 when in closed positionand the flange I I, upon the front portion, intermediate its ends, isprovided with an offset portion 12, having an indentation I3, for apurpose to be described. The case 5 is provided with a substantiallyrectangular opening I 4 in its front wall 5', for a purpose to be de- 1Claim. (01. 206-38) scribed. As clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3,

the two'side'sof the opening, I W

Associated with and permanently attachedto the front Wall 5" of the case5, is a book match holder, indicated generally bythe numeral IS.

The match holder l6 isflof 'su-ch size and shape as to receive. and holda conventional book. of,

matches andfur'ther, the holder is of. su chfsize as to completely coverthe opening' I34, when in closed position. The holder IB is attached tothe caseby a hinge element'I'L'surrounded by' an actuating spring I8,having one en'deng ng a' fixed portion of the case 5. while theoppositeend engages a bottom wall I6 of the holder I6. The

holder l6, at its lower extremity is provided'with' a curved apron I9 toconform to the curvature of the case 5 and a transverse slot 2!] isformed in the case to receive the apron I9 when the holder I6 is movedto operative position under the influence of the spring l8. The slot isof such depth as to limit the swinging movement of the holder to ahorizontal position.

Intermediate its upper end, the holder is provided with a lip portion2|, extending upward and of such width and length as to engage beneaththe offset l2 of the cover, when the parts are in their inoperativeposition. A lug 22 formed upon the lip 2i is adapted to engage withinthe indentation of the extension I2 to retain the cover against openingand to prevent the swinging movement of the holder I6. Theinterengagement of the lug and indentation I3 will prevent the movementof the cover 8, for the reason that such interengagement is maintainedby the action of the spring I8 tending to swing the holder I6 outwardlyand obviously, the holder cannot swing to the operative position untilreleased from beneath the extension l2. Release of the parts is effectedby exerting pressure upon the holder inwardly. As clearly shown inFigure 2, the holder I6 is generally wedge shaped to conform to theshape of the match book and the edges are rounded to generally mergeinto the contour of the case 5 to give an ornamental appearance. Theholder is provided with an in-- ward transverse wedge shaped slot 23,see Figure 2, for receiving the narrow end of the match book, which iswedged therein against displacement, the match book being generallyindicated at 24. When the holder is in the closed position, the matchbook 24 extends through the opening I4 and lies against the package ofcigarettes. The purpose of the opening I4 is to reduce the weight andbulkiness of the device. As clearly shown in Figures .2 and '3, theholder is provided with a mg. I 4 and being continuous across thetopfand' wedge shaped groove 25, extending across the top and down thetwo sides. When the parts are in the inoperative position, there is aninterengagement of the rib l5 and groove 25, to more effectually excludemoisture and to retain the parts against undue twisting with theresultant strain on the hinge elements.

In use, it being assumed that the case and holder are. loaded and theparts in the position shown in Figure 1. The device is grasped with thefingers against the rear wall of the case and the thumb resting againstthe face of the holder 15. Pressure exerted by the thumb causes theparts to move inward, releasing the lug 22 from the indentation 13. Whenthis occurs, the spring [0 will automatically swing the cover 8 to openposition, at which time a cigarette may be removed. Removal of the thumbfrom the holder l6, results in the holder being swung to the dotted lineposition shown in Figure 1, under the influence of the spring [8, atwhich time the matches are exposed for use in the position normallyemployed, with the striking surface closest to the operator. The partsare returned to their normal position by first swinging the holder toclosed position and then moving 'dhe cover 8 to engage over the lip 2|,the parts automatically locking against accidental operation in theabsen ce of pressure upon the holder Hi.

It is thought that the invention presented herewith is of very novelform, is cheap to manufacture, is strong,,durab1e and highly convenientin use.

Having, described the claimed is:

invention, what is A device of the character described for supporting apackage of cigarettes comprising a case open at its upper end, a closurecover for said open hinged to the case, a spring for moving the cover toopen position, said case having the major portion of its front wallformed open, a book match holder associated with the case and adapted tonormally cover the opening in said wall, hinge meansybetvveen the-holderand the case for permitting said holder to swing to open position, aspring for urging the swinging of the holder, an extension carried bythe holder tobe engaged by the cover and means carried by both'the coverand the holder for interengagement to normally retain the cover andholder in closed position simultaneously.

ORDA Q. ATKINSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 785,279 Steiner Mar. 21, 19051,700,539 Ladd Jan. 29, 1929 1,726,843 Kornsweet Sept. 3, 1929 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 25,557 Germany June 16, 1883 431,604 FranceSept. 18, 1911 683,040 France June 5, 1930 324,236 Great Britain Jan.23, 1930

